Rose Hall expands 2025 works with $50M Boost in Govt subvention

…Mayor says long-overdue street, culvert, walkway upgrades now full speed

With the government’s municipal subvention increased from $18 million to $50 million, municipalities throughout the country have reviewed their 2025, work programme.

At Rose Hall Town, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), the extended work programme will focus on critical upgrades to the drainage network.
Mayor Dave Budhu stated that residents of the municipality will see tangible benefits from the increased funding, with twelve projects planned focusing primarily on minor street repairs and drainage improvements.
“Because we have a number of problems with drainage, minor drains within the township. So, that is the reason why we look at these minor drains,” the mayor said.
One of the projects involves the construction and reinforcing of a fence at the municipal office. Additionally, a 40 kV generator will be purchased for the municipal building.

“Because we know of the constant blackout. We want the residents to feel pleased when they come to the municipality that we don’t have to send them back, but whatever transaction they come to do at the municipality will be done in a timely manner. So, that is why the generator is in this budget, and then we have maintenance of culverts and bridges, and streets.”
He explained that these are minor works aimed at addressing minor defects in some culverts and bridges. Additionally, repairs will be carried out on an RC drain along Third Street on the western side of Williamsburg.
“This bypasses the Kevin Church area there. The residents have long complaining about it, where they will normally see overgrowth of bushes in the drain. It’s like more an alley. So, that is one of the drains we take into consideration. It benefits the majority of people within that area. Then, we have the construction of a concrete walkway, Williamsburg at Tulsi Street… The entire community will be benefiting from that walkway, too.”
In the capital of the town, drains with concrete covers will be constructed along several streets. These include Scott School Street, Crawford Street, New Market Street, Fingal Street, Persaud Street, and Bhajan Street.
“Now, since we have an increase, and this is where the increase becomes effective for us, we can do more. We try to get everything done in a proper manner. So, this is an extension of Bhajan Street, whereby we will extend the existing drain. We will do concrete covers and also a walkway. This is just an extension, 35 meters. Then, we have the construction of RC drain with cover again, Sharple Street.”
The cross streets in the town’s capital are currently too narrow for vehicular access. However, by installing covered drains down the center of these streets, additional road space can be created. The mayor noted that after one such project successfully widened a street, residents began requesting similar upgrades for their own areas. As a result, several streets have since been redesigned, making them accessible to vehicles.
“We trained with most of these drains to build them in the center of the streets or these alleys that some people may call it. Because some residents normally kind to the other neighbor whereby they pull the fence in, maybe a foot or two, and vehicles can get access to these alleys. We try our best always to build these streets now with the drain in the center of the street.”
Meanwhile, from the increased subvention, the municipality will also be upgrading the approaches to St. Paul, Sir David, Martin, and George Streets.
“It has been a long time since residents have been complaining about the approaches to these streets. They are so steep that if you slip, you fall. We could not have been able to done it. Now, we take it into consideration. It is already approved, and the work will start anytime soon,” Mayor Budhu explained.